Surgery for an implant is considered routine and the side effects are limited. Patients and parents/carers will be fully advised of the risks of surgery prior to giving consent and every opportunity will be given for patients and their families to ask questions.
Most patients attend a pre-admission clinic, when you will meet a nurse practitioner. At this clinic, we will ask for details of your medical history and carry out any necessary clinical examinations and investigations to ensure you are fit for surgery.
Most people are able to go home on the same day, although some do need to stay in hospital overnight. Most operations are performed under general anaesthetic, however, in some cases it may be done under local anaesthetic. Some swelling or discomfort around the implant is not uncommon. This can normally be controlled by standard pain relief medication.
Post-operative check
All patients will be seen in clinic for a post-operative check with the specialist nurse approximately 2 weeks following the surgery. During this appointment the nurse will check the wound, remove the dressing and any stitches, and check any post-operative X- rays of the cochlea or facial bones where necessary. For patients with a bone anchored hearing aid, they will also demonstrate hygiene techniques, check there is no infection at the site, and tighten the abutment if necessary. During this appointment the nurse may recap any post-operative wound care and safety advice.